Dueñas, where your child lives, is a small farming village located at the foot of one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, Fuego (Fire). The fertile ground around the village allows for the cultivation of roses and coffee, two of Guatemala's largest exports. Most of the families in this area live in one or two room wooden or adobe houses with tin roofs. Electricity is available to those who can afford it. Running water is available - however, most homes do not have indoor plumbing. Public education is available for those who can afford it and consider education of value. Life in Dueñas is quiet and sometimes difficult.  

Hello! I am very happy to share my information through this. My full name is Sharon Anahi Machuca Morales. I was born on January 3rd, 2019, in Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepequez, Guatemala. I am 6 years old, and thanks to God, I am a healthy girl. I attend kindergarten at school this year. I enjoy playing hide-and-seek, drawing and coloring. My favorite color is white. The animal I like the most is the rabbit. I love eating rice with black beans. I live with my parents and one brother. Our pet is a dog. My father´s name is Pablo Josue Machuca Hernandez. He works for FIDES company; he takes care of flowers in a cold room. He provides for our family. My mother´s name is Jhaqueline Siomara Morales Lara. She stays busy with the housework and taking care of my brother and me. My grandma works in Jocotenango village.  

Thankfully, my whole family is doing well. I am very happy to be part of the Dueñas feeding program and I walk 5 minutes to get there. At the moment, we are not attending any church. The house in which we live belongs to my grandmother and she lives there. There is only one room made of the tin sheet with plasterboard, the roof is made of tin sheets and a cement floor. The kitchen is separated. We have running water and electricity services; my father and grandma contribute to pay for those services every month. At the moment, our greatest needs are groceries. Well, this is all for now and I hope you find my letter interesting. Every kind of blessing over you! 

Lots of love, 

Sharon Anahi Machuca Morales 

Translated by: Violeta Hernandez / A-A-C Secretary-Antigua Guatemala